Headline

Nigerian Workers Lament High Cost Of Food Items, Others

Published

4 years ago

October 7, 2021

Editor

The standard of living of an average Nigerian under President Muhammadu Buhari government is steadily declining every day as prices of food continue to skyrocket daily.

Without any doubt, the current increase in prices of goods and services is tied to low farming activities, low productivity as a result of the worsening insecurity, especially in the Northern region. Many farmers flee their farms out of fear for their lives as bandits, Boko Haram, and herdsmen attack communities and kidnap families.

The current realities are forcing families into hunger, as an average Nigerian who could afford to feed three times in a day are now struggling to feed twice or less, because of the economic situation in the country.

On a monthly basis, prices of food items appear to be increasing in major cities in Nigeria. For example, the prices of flour products such as ‘bread’, grains such as ‘rice, beans, garri’, and regular beverages have experienced unimaginable hike in price within the last one month if compared with previous months within the year.

DAILY POST findings reveal that, “the price of the regular ready to eat can fish ‘Sardine’ sold at N300 now goes for N600 at the market and sell at N700 in supermarkets across the country. A bag of beans sold at N30,000 early last month ‘September’ now costs between N50,000 and N100,000. Also, sachets of beverages (e.g, milk, milo) sold at N700 now sells at N1200, cooking gas 5kg sold at N2000 now sells at N3000”. Bread that used to sell for between N350 to N400 now sells for N700. Almost all the prices of consumables have doubled within the last 1 month.

Millions of working-class Nigerians can no longer live a decent life on their income not to talk of those earning lower than the minimum wage. The question that brothers most Nigerians is, “how does a Nigerian who earns a minimum wage of N30,000 survive with the current hike in the price of food? How do families feed?” Sadly, these questions remain unanswered.

The country’s national minimum wage is N30,000 per month, mainly applicable to civil servants as some private sectors pay as low as N15,000 to workers. Also, many state governments are yet to implement the new minimum wage.

DAILY POST interacted with some Nigerians who expressed their sadness over the situation, calling on the government to act immediately.

A worker simply identified as Gloria said it’s been hard for her to feed as a spinster since the change in price.

She said, “I used to eat three times a day with breakfast but now I just manage to feed twice. During Goodluck time, I used to eat three times but now I eat once, my salary increase doesn’t even matter because I could afford more things years ago than I can now, but I spend way higher.”

Mr Dapo, a civil servant, lamented that he has two kids and is finding it hard to cater to them. He said, “I go to work every day and I cannot boast of my salary taking care of my family anymore. The lunch pack for my kids has reduced because even biscuits have increased. The other day, I went to buy gas for N10kg, it has increased too. My wife keeps complaining that the money she uses to feed the family for a month can barely sustain us for two weeks. What does Buhari want us to do? Is this the change he promised us? I don’t think we have anything like average Nigerians, it’s either you’re poor or rich under this Buhari government.”

One Mr Akin who works at a private company in Wuse 2 lamented that these days, he misses lunch break at work twice in a week because of the increase in prices of stuff in order not to be stranded before the end of the month. He said, “I wouldn’t lie to you madam, things are becoming worse oh! Imagine lunch I buy every day at N500 is now N700 and its even in smaller quantities. The woman in the canteen does not even sell N100 plantain; it starts from N200. How does Buhari want responsible workers to live a good life? As a young man, now I can’t even think of having a girlfriend not to talk of taking her on a date because of how expensive things are. This government just wants us to struggle and not be able to even live a decent life. I don’t even know what the government is doing to stop this, but they need to help us regulate these prices. We can’t live like this till 2023. Please help us talk to them, at least they’ll listen to the media”.

Recall that on October 1st, President Buhari during his Independence Day speech blamed the middlemen for the rise in food prices, stating that the middlemen have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering. He directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.

The president said, “To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance groundwater supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture”.

The House of Representatives, days ago also set up a special committee to conduct an investigative hearing with all critical stakeholders in the country and carry out the root cause analysis on the rising cost of food items.

But if the government fails to find a lasting solution to insecurity issues such as bandits attack in communities, herdsmen attacks on farmers and villages, the prices of food will continue to rise, and the unemployment rate will increase.

The current realities have caused businesses to shut down over the cost of production. Experts believe the trend has an adverse effect on unemployment rate which is already high.

DAILY POST observes that unemployment chain is already too high but the number of companies leaving Nigeria due to insecurity and lack of investors is pushing more Nigerians into unemployment while universities still churn out graduates.

Investors will consider countries where the security of their staff, property is guaranteed.

Headline

10 African Countries With Highest Military Spending In 2025

Published

18 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

The reality of African military spending in 2025 is shaped by geography, political dynamics, economic capability and regional threats.

Defence budgets across Africa are telling a story of evolving priorities. While some countries are pouring resources into modernising their armed forces, others are focusing on stabilising fragile internal structures or managing limited resources in the face of growing security threats. The top military spenders on the continent this year reflect this diversity in strategy and circumstance.

At the top of the list is Algeria, with a defence allocation of around $25 billion. This comes as little surprise given the country’s longstanding military tradition and its interest in maintaining regional dominance. Algeria has been particularly focused on modernising its air defence and acquiring advanced military hardware. With ongoing tensions involving its neighbour Morocco and instability in nearby Sahel countries, Algeria’s military investment is not only about deterrence but also about preparedness.

Morocco comes in second, spending approximately $13.4 billion on its defence sector. Much of Morocco’s budget is believed to go toward upgrading its air force and surveillance capabilities. The ongoing situation in Western Sahara continues to influence the country’s military posture, and Morocco has increasingly turned to Western suppliers for equipment. Its investment strategy also reflects a broader ambition to assert influence and ensure national security amid rising regional instability.

Egypt remains a heavyweight in African military affairs, with nearly $6 billion dedicated to defence this year. The country maintains one of the largest and most experienced armed forces in Africa. Egypt’s strategic location and ties to global powers play a major role in shaping its military spending. Its focus areas include naval strength in the Red Sea, border protection, and counterterrorism operations in the Sinai region. A significant portion of Egypt’s budget also supports joint military exercises and maintaining long-term partnerships with Western allies.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is allocating around $3.1 billion to its military in 2025. Faced with persistent insurgencies in the northeast, rising cases of banditry, and threats to oil infrastructure, Nigeria is investing more in surveillance, tactical response, and mobility. However, despite the budget size, questions persist about how effectively these resources are managed. Internal inefficiencies and corruption have often limited the impact of military spending, although reforms are slowly gaining traction.

Libya, despite enduring years of political fragmentation and conflict, ranks fifth with $3 billion in defence expenditure. The country’s spending is shaped largely by the need to rebuild military institutions and secure borders that have long been porous. Though rival factions still hold sway in different regions, recent moves toward unification have led to increased central oversight of defence funding. Libya’s military priorities include stabilising key infrastructure, reducing foreign military involvement, and restoring national cohesion.

South Africa, with a budget of roughly $2.3 billion, is the highest spender in Sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria. The country faces fewer direct security threats than others on this list, but it maintains a capable and relatively advanced defence sector. Budget limitations in recent years have led to ageing equipment and recruitment challenges. Even so, South Africa continues to contribute to regional peacekeeping missions and has been increasing its focus on cyber defence and modernisation through strategic planning.

Ethiopia’s military spending stands at about $2.1 billion this year. Following recent internal conflicts, the country is focused on rebuilding and restructuring its military forces. Spending is expected to go toward restocking supplies, increasing professionalism in the ranks, and improving border security, particularly with Sudan and Eritrea. Given its geographic location and history of regional involvement, Ethiopia’s defence capabilities are considered crucial not only for internal stability but also for regional balance.

Tanzania is allocating approximately 1.4 billion dollars to its defence sector in 2025. Though not frequently in the headlines for security concerns, Tanzania quietly invests in protecting its borders, maintaining internal stability, and supporting African Union peacekeeping operations. Its military also contributes to anti-narcotics efforts and maritime safety, given its coastal location. Recent moves show a growing interest in enhancing training programs and building stronger ties with foreign partners for logistics and support.

Tunisia matches Tanzania’s budget with a similar figure of 1.4 billion dollars. In Tunisia’s case, much of the defence spending is directed toward counterterrorism and intelligence operations. The country has faced several security incidents over the past decade and has prioritised preventing extremist activities, particularly in remote border areas. Efforts have also been made to modernise internal security structures and improve cybersecurity, often with the support of international partners who view Tunisia as a strategic bridge between Africa and Europe.

Kenya closes the list with a defence budget of $1.3 billion. The country has played a consistent role in regional peacekeeping, especially in Somalia. Its military priorities include border security, maritime surveillance, and improving response to terrorism-related threats in the northeastern regions. Kenya has been working to modernise its force structure, with growing investments in technology, training, and partnerships with countries that support its regional security mission.

Country Budget Military Rank in Africa

1 Algeria $25.0 billion 1st

2 Morocco $13.4 billion 4th

3 Egypt $5.9 billion 2nd

4 Nigeria $3.1 billion 3rd

5 Libya $3.0 billion 9th

6 South Africa $2.3 billion 5th

7 Ethiopia $2.1 billion 6th

8 Tanzania $1.4 billion 10th

9 Tunisia $1.4 billion 8th

10 Kenya $1.3 billion 7th

Headline

Africa Loses $7bn Annually On Medical Tourism – Afreximbank

Published

19 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) says Nigeria and other African nations are losing billions of dollars annually to medical tourism.

Afreximbank’s Export Development Managing Director, Mrs Oluranti Doherty, made the assertion while speaking at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja on Thursday.

Doherty said the trend was hindering economic development and local healthcare infrastructure.

She identified the soaring costs of medical tourism as a major drain on African economies.

According to her, Nigeria alone loses an estimated $1.1 billion annually to medical tourism, while the entire African continent collectively forfeits approximately $7 billion yearly.

“We had our member countries losing a lot of foreign exchange to medical tourism.

“We just talked about Nigeria, where our medical tourism annually is about $1.1 billion.

“The entire continent is about $7 billion just because we can’t help ourselves with ourselves when we come up with chronic diseases.

“ That’s money that’s going to other economies, building up their institutions,” she said.

She noted that the capital outflow diverts funds that could be invested in local healthcare.

Doherty added that the development contributes to a “brain drain” of skilled medical professionals from the continent.

“Another thing we noted was a great way we were losing a lot of our good talents.
“The best of talents in the health sector were going out of the continent, working in places such as India, Asia, Middle East, America, and that often was an issue,” she said.

Doherty said the bank launched its Health and Medical Tourism Programme in 2012 long before the broader recognition of healthcare’s connection to economic security in response to the challenge.

“Afreximbank was innovative. I call us the innovative financier, innovative investors.

“We recognised this part since 2012 and we set about doing something about it.

“A key initiative borne from this foresight is the Africa Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, a 170-bed facility boasting state-of-the-art equipment, including an 18 MeV cyclotron, a three-Tesla MRI, and a 20-bed ICU.

“Afreximbank has invested over $450 million to establish and scale up this project,” she said.

The official praised the leadership behind the AMCE, noting, “Afreximbank had to go where no one has gone before; Afreximbank’s leaders adhered to the dreamers.

“The AMCE aims to provide healthcare services comparable to global standards, not just African standards.

“I’m talking about global standard. I’m talking about Africans coming up with solutions to challenge,” she said.

She, however, stressed the need to build trust in local healthcare facilities and ensure access for all to stem medical tourism.

Headline

Court Remands Teacher Over Alleged Sexual Assault On 2 Pupils

Published

19 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 27-year-old teacher, Wisdom Anokwuru, in Kirikiri Correctional Centre over alleged sexual assault on two pupils.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O.O Kushanu, who did not take Anokwuru’s plea, ordered that the file should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

Kushanu adjourned the case until Sept. 15 for mention.

The defendant, who resides at No. 5, Goodluck Avenue, Ibaranje, Ikotun, Lagos, is facing a charge of sexual assault.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 17 at a private school in Ikotun, Lagos.

Ademigbuji said that the defendant took the girls, both 8-year-old to the school library and touched their private parts.

He said that the defendant also showed the girls a porn video on his phone.

Ademigbuji said the girls later informed the school administrator and the defendant was subsequently arrested.

The prosecutor said offences contravened Sections 135 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.(